Charles Sims injury clears path to roster spot for UDFA Shaun Wilson

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost running back Charles Sims for the season when they placed him on injured reserve Thursday, the result of a knee injury suffered in preseason action.

While the news is certainly a blow to Tampa Bay’s running back depth, it could clear the way for a rookie standout to lock up a spot on the team’s 53-man roster.

The top three spots in the Bucs’ backfield are already set, with a 1-2 punch of Peyton Barber and rookie second-round pick Ronald Jones expected to split the lion’s share of the touches. Jacquizz Rodgers, a versatile veteran with a long history of success under coach Dirk Koetter that dates back to their time with the Atlanta Falcons, will be the third-down specialist.

That left Sims to battle with rookie Shaun Wilson for the fourth and likely final running back slot on the active roster.

An undrafted free agent out of Duke, Wilson didn’t exactly light up the college ranks, having never topped 1,000 rushing yards in a season for the Blue Devils. Still, his performance throughout training camp and preseason action so far has proven he has the skills to make an impact on Sundays.

Losing Sims for the season is definitely a disappointment, both to player and team. But if Wilson’s early returns are any indication, the Bucs won’t be experiencing a sizable drop-off in production from the fourth runner on the roster.